No Ordinary Bloke

by Mary Whitney

  She shrugged and looked down. “I owe you a few apologies, including one for not coming sooner.”

  “You don’t owe me anything.”

  “But I do.”

  “No.” I shook my head. I was so stunned that she was here with me in my flat alone that I forgot myself for a moment as I stared into her gorgeous eyes. Finally, I remembered what should happen next. “Let’s go sit down,” I said, pointing into the living room.

  “Aren’t you leaving?”

  “I was just going to the workshop to finish a chair I’m doing for Little V. It can wait,” I said, dropping my bag in the hallway.

  She smiled. “Doesn’t she need a chair?”

  “I have time. It’s a present for her when her little baby brother or sister arrives. You know, so she has something special that day, too.”

  “Adam and Nicki are having another baby? That’s great.”

  “It is. I’m chuffed for them.” I nodded to her leather jacket. “Let me take you coat.”

  She glanced down at the buttoned jacket. When she didn’t answer me, I feared she didn’t want to take it off because she wanted to make a quick exit. Bracing myself for that possibility, I said, “Or don’t, if you won’t be here long.”

  I held my breath as she bit her lip, seeming completely indecisive. After a moment, she began to slowly unbutton the coat and said, “I don’t know how long I’ll be here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Raising her eyes to me, she gave me another uneasy smile, but said nothing.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I feel a little foolish.”

  “Why?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?”

  Trying not to ogle her, my eyes had been on her face while she took off the coat. When I looked down, the distinctive red shirt made me grin. “You’re wearing a Liverpool jersey. How could that ever be foolish?”

  She let out a dark chuckle. “Depending on your reaction, it could be very foolish.”

  “I think it’s brilliant.”

  “Not over the top?”

  “Not at all.”

  Despite my reassurance, she was still apprehensive as she rambled, “I wanted to do something to show you, but I was worried what you might think. It’s a silly gesture. I know…”

  “I don’t think it’s silly, love. You might even be prettier in a Liverpool jersey.” As my heart exploded with hope, I took her hand and led her toward the sofa. “Please, sit. Can I get you anything to drink or eat?”

  “A glass of water would be great.” She smoothed down her jeans, which fit her distractingly well.

  “Just give a minute then.”

  I used the time to fetch her water as an opportunity to gather my thoughts and calm the fuck down. When I walked back to where she sat on the sofa, I handed her the glass and smiled. “Thanks for coming. This is a wonderful surprise.”

  “I’m sorry to barge in.”

  I took a seat beside her, while leaving her some personal space. I looked straight into her eyes, hoping she’d see how happy I was. “It’s all right. You knew you’d be welcome.”

  “I didn’t know.” She shook her head. “I only hoped.”

  My heart started beating double time, and I needed a distraction or I’d blow it in front of her. Glancing at her ponytail resting on her back, I noticed something was different. “Why is your hair wet? Have you been playing footie with Angus? Is that why you’re in a football jersey?”

  “No.” She smirked. “I’ve been playing footsie with Angus.”

  “Hey, you know Angus, and that’s not funny.”

  “Yes, it was.” Laughing, she touched her ponytail and then let it rest again. “I’m joking though. I arrived earlier this morning, so I checked into my hotel early and took a shower.”

  My eyes shifted around the room, as I parsed the few facts I’d heard from her together. “Why are you traveling for work on a Saturday?”

  “This isn’t work travel.”

  “It isn’t?”

  “No, I came to see you,” she said, looking up at me through her eyelashes as she sipped her water. “And then maybe I’ll visit Paris or Prague. I’m not sure.”

  “Paris? Don’t you have to work?”

  “Nope. Not anymore.”

  “What happened?” I laughed and gave her arm a bit of a push. “Tell me.”

  “There’s not much to tell. You were right. I was wrong. I quit. I went back to Iowa for a while to try to figure out my life.” She shrugged. “I think I need a change from New York, so I’m traveling for a while until I decide where I want to live next.”

  “As happy as I am that you’re here, I’m sorry that I was right.”

  “Yeah, it sucked.” She shook her head. “I didn’t do as you suggested though. I didn’t go over to his place and cause a big scene.”

  “That’s not really your way.”

  “No. Not at all.”

  “So what happened?”

  “I guess I should start at the beginning,” she said, leaning back on the sofa. “So you left, and I was pissed and heartbroken at the same time.” She gave me a dirty look. “Thanks for that.”

  “Sorry. I wasn’t happy either.”

  “I know, and I figured as much. The fact that you made a special trip really weighed on me, so I did what I thought was right. I went to my boss—the vice president for human resources for all of Greystone. I told her that I’d heard a rumor that Trey was romantically involved with his direct report, Melanie, but that given my relationship with Trey, I wanted to take a leave of absence until any investigation was completed. She agreed and put me on administrative leave.”

  “How long did that last?”

  “A week or so. Melanie confessed to everything immediately, but Trey tried to dance around it for as long as he could. Eventually, he admitted it all as well. He was fired. Melanie was given the choice to leave with a fat severance or stay in her job with a new boss. She chose the severance.”

  “Why did you quit then?”

  “It just all felt so icky.” She sighed. “I don’t think I’d be particularly good doing HR in a company if the rumor is that I was involved in a corporate love triangle. My boss didn’t like me resigning though because as she said, I didn’t do anything wrong, so she said she’d give me a glowing reference and help me get a job wherever I want.”

  “That’s fantastic.”

  “It is. I feel really fortunate. Anyway, I also just wanted to get the hell out of New York, so I went to Iowa for a bit which was good. I was able to do a lot of thinking there.” She smiled. “That’s when I decided that I wanted to travel, but that I really should visit you first.”

  Of course, I wanted to ask “why” but that seemed too obvious, so I tried to sound casual. “How long are you in town for?”

  “I don’t know.” She looked at me warily. “I’m not sure yet.”

  I nodded, but said nothing for a minute. When I was quiet, she continued, “I think it depends on you.” Her eyes became pleading. “I’ve really put you through the wringer, but do you think we could be friends again?”

  “Oh, fuck no.” I shook my head. “No way. I am not doing that again.”

  “Really? You don’t want to even be friends.” Her voice wavered with a tinge of disappointment.

  “Friends? Bollocks. No. Not with you.”

  “Oh.” She frowned, and her voice faltered as she spoke. “Based on what you said in New York, I thought maybe you could forgive me. I don’t know…I guess I was wrong.”

  “You don’t need my forgiveness, love. You didn’t do anything wrong. I just don’t want to be friends.”

  Her shoulders sloped as she hung her head. I leaned down to look her in the eye, but she stared at the jersey. She pulled at the material, and in the shaky voice that always came before her tears she said, “This was what I meant by foolish, but I understand if you feel that way. You were good to me, and I doubted you. After how I’ve jerked you around, my regrets and apologi
es really don’t matter.”

  A tear rolled down her cheek and dropped right on the jersey. I couldn’t have her so sad, especially wearing that. I gently rubbed her shoulder. “Regrets and apologies do matter. I have my own. I just don’t want to be friends.”

  “What do you want?” She sniffled.

  A big smile spread across my face as I said proudly, “I want my old job back.”

  “Your old job?” she asked, looking at me warily.

  “Remember? I was your boyfriend. You gave me a set of duties which I tried to perform to the best of my abilities.” I side-eyed her for a moment. “I think I was particularly good with what you called ‘that thing with my tongue.’ Right?”

  “Yes, you were always good at that.” She giggled, her eyes brightening.

  “Excellent. Because I was quite fond of that task. Sadly, I got sacked anyway, though it was with good reason. I’d been told not to do something, I was warned repeatedly, and I went ahead and did it.”

  “I’m sorry…I—”

  “No, don’t be sorry.” I moved in closer, so I could be face to face with her. “You were right, so I went and saw this bloke for…let’s call it extra-training. It’s gone well. It’s not over, but I think I’ve learned enough to try my old job again.” I reached for her hand. “If you give me the chance.”

  She looked down at our hands and smiled. “Tell me about this trainer you’ve been seeing.”

  “Dr. Green. For the last six months now, I’ve gone to him once a week.”

  “Wow. I truly thought that was something you’d never do.”

  “We didn’t hit it off very well at first, but when he tried to fight me, I knew I could work with the bloke.”

  “He tried to fight you?”

  “Yeah. Crazy old arse. He’s a Spurs fan so that’s a problem right there, but we’ve got on well despite that.”

  “He sounds perfect for you.”

  “It’s good, and things are going well.” I gave her my best begging puppy dog look. “Do you think I could have me old job back? I promise to do that thing with my tongue whenever you want.”

  She shifted in her seat, while rubbing her neck. “Can you not bring that up anymore? I’m trying to have some resolve, and it’s like you’re taunting me.”

  “Resolve? Why do you need resolve?”

  “Because I thought this might happen.”

  “What’s that?”

  “That you would be charming and adorable and sexy and say all the right things and then just sweep me off my feet again.”

  I scratched my head. “Why is that a bad thing?”

  “It’s not.” She grimaced. “I also feared the opposite. That you’d be sick of my shit and slam the door in my face.”

  “Rubbish.” I waved my hand. “And I think this talk of resolve is just an unnecessary hurdle.”

  “So you really don’t think we should be friends and then see where it takes us?”

  “I’ll tell you where it takes us.”

  “Where’s that?”

  “To my bed,” I said, puffing my chest a bit.

  “You’re taunting me again.” She waggled her finger at me.

  I moved in yet a bit closer to her and whispered in her ear. “If the pathway to your heart is through my cock, I’ll gladly do whatever it takes.”

  “You’re terrible.” She giggled, but soon lowered her head.

  “What is it?”

  “I missed you so much. I really did.”

  Wrapping my arms around her, I kissed her hair, over and over. “I missed you, darling. So very much.”

  She nuzzled her head into my chest, and when I heard her muffled tears, somehow the moment felt too emotionally intimate to even give her a kiss. I wanted to cry as well. Squeezing my eyelids together tightly, I held the tears back, and after a minute, I kissed her hair again. “I have an idea.”

  “What’s that?” she said, not looking up.

  “If I court you again, can we get rid of this resolve you have against me?”

  She pulled away from my chest and laughed as she dried her eyes. “What does that mean?”

  “It means rather than trying to seduce you and trap you in my bedroom this morning so you can never leave, instead I take you on a date.”

  “That would be nice.” She played with the buttons on my shirt. “And then you drop me off at my hotel and we both sleep alone?”

  “It’s a terrible waste of a hotel room, but if it’s a requirement, I’ll oblige.”

  “Then, yes, I’ll go on a date with you.”

  “Fantastic.” I tapped a finger against my lips. “Now where shall I take you?”

  “Nothing too fancy. I packed more for backpacking across Europe than nights out on the town in London.”

  “I know what we can do. I’ve got an invite for a wedding party tonight. We should go.”

  She snorted. “First of all, I said nothing fancy. Second of all, you’re seriously going to take me to one of your ex-girlfriend’s weddings?”

  “It’s not an ex-girlfriend’s wedding. It’s a bloke from work, Lawrence. Marrying some girl…Miriam, maybe? Incredibly large knockers.”

  “Did you just say she had large breasts?”

  “No, I said large knockers.” I kissed her cheek. “And I can say that because I like yours better. Yours are breasts, not knockers.”

  “You are so bad…” She shook her head, but still smiled. “Did you RSVP?”

  “I said no, but I’ll just text him and change it to yes.”

  “He won’t be pissed?”

  “He’s a mate. What does he care if I show up with my bird to eat his food and drink his champagne?” I shrugged. “I think he’ll be pleased, especially to meet you.”

  “Hold on a second. I said nothing fancy. Isn’t a British wedding fancy?”

  “Not all of them, though I fear this one is.” I poked her arm. “Maybe you should go shopping while I work on V’s chair.”

  “Do I have to get one of those crazy hats British women wear to weddings?”

  “Oh, God no. You’re a bloody American. You don’t need to wear one of those ridiculous contraptions on your head.”

  “Okay…”

  “Brilliant.” I took her hand and smiled. “Then we have a date. I’ll pick you up at your hotel tonight, but in the meantime, let’s get lunch and catch up.”

  She grinned. “We do have a lot of catching up to do, don’t we?”

  “It will be quick.” I took her hand and pressed it to my lips. “Then we can start where we left off.”

  The hotel reception was busy when I arrived that afternoon. It was a modest tourist hotel, so I stood out in my dark suit compared to the Americans, Chinese, and Germans in their jeans and trainers. I took a seat off to the side in the waiting area so as not to be conspicuous. After I nabbed newspaper someone left behind, I never looked up until I heard the rustle of a skirt coming closer.

  “Hello, gorgeous,” I said as I saw Allison standing above me. I admired her in what looked to be a black strapless dress with a little jacket. “You look fantastic.”

  “Thank you.” She touched my knee. “You look dashing, as usual. Will you take me to a casino again?”

  “Of course, love.” I stood up and slipped my arm. “You’re my lady luck. We just have to get this wedding over with first.”

  The wedding took place at a beautiful church not far from the reception, and I held Allison’s hand the entire time. At one point, she leaned over and whispered, “When I was on the plane this time yesterday, I would’ve never in a million years thought I’d end up today at a wedding with you.”

  I grinned and whispered back, “I’m very glad you got on that plane.”

  “I am too.”

  After the wedding, we drove to the reception at the Royal Exchange. She laughed as we walked up the steps of the stately building with its columns and stone carvings. “So bankers are getting married in a bank building. That’s kind of cute.”

  “A
bit twee, I agree, but you’ll like them.” I nodded ahead. “There’s the receiving line.”

  As we made our way down the line of proud parents who couldn’t give a fuck who half of us were, we finally got our turn with Lawrence and Miriam. Lawrence grinned, shook my hand, and patted my back. “Mate, I think I’m almost as happy that you have a girlfriend as I am about Miriam and me getting married.”

  “Thanks, mate.” I pulled Allison in a little tighter. “May I please introduce you to Allison Wright?” I nodded to Allison. “This is Lawrence Gardner.”

  “Thank you so much for coming, Allison,” Lawrence said as he shook her hand and smiled. “I have to say that as soon as David said he was bringing his girlfriend, I was very keen on meeting you.”

  “Thanks. It’s nice to meet you, too. Congratulations,” said Allison. “I hope we’re not crashing.”

  “Not at all.” Lawrence turned to his bride who was finishing up a conversation with another guest. Touching her elbow, he said, “Miriam, it’s David and his girlfriend.”

  “Oh,” she said her eyes widening. She waved off the other guests and turned to Allison and me. “David, so good to see you.” She then extended her hand to Allison. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you so much for coming.”

  “It’s wonderful to meet you. Congratulations. You look amazing tonight, by the way,” said Allison, her eyes resting for a moment on Miriam’s cleavage spilling out of her bridal gown.

  As Lawrence asked me a quick question about work, Miriam pulled Allison in close to her. I distinctly heard Miriam say in a low voice, “I know he’s been with more women than Mick Jagger, but David is a really good bloke. Lawrence adores him. You need to nab this one before someone else does.”

  My eyes darted to Allison to see what she’d say. She smiled and leaned in close to Miriam, whispering, “I’m never letting go this time.”

  That pleased me to no end.

  After dinner the dancing began with big band music played by a group of Americans in colorful suits. As soon as the bride and groom had danced, I turned to Allison. “Care to dance?”

  “You dance?”

  “Of course,” I said, standing and offering her my hand.

  She smiled. “Of course you do.”